"Most pupils participate in different extra-curricular activities, including music, reflecting the impact of the academy’s specialism. In the academy’s other specialist subjects of English and drama, pupils achieve very well". Ofsted November 2011
Drama is extremely popular at Studley High School both as a timetabled subject and an extracurricular activity. All pupils are taught in specialist accommodation by specialist staff.
As a subject, Drama enables our students to develop communication skills and self-confidence, as well as providing a framework through which it is possible to explore and discuss a range of themes and issues. We aim to encourage an understanding of a range of situations through role play and being able to ‘step into another person’s shoes’.
At the same time we recognise that the Theatre is one of Britain’s success stories; our playwrights, actors and directors are known as some of the best. Therefore some of the work is designed to develop an appreciation and understanding of Drama as an art form in itself.
Drama
Performing Arts Faculty
Staff
Ceri Cunningham, BA (Hons)
Curriculum Area Leader Performing Arts
Miss V Beddoes, BA (Hons) Teacher of Drama
Pupil feedback
"...The workshop was good fun and I was learning about the play at the same time."
Here at SHS we are lucky enough to have two specialist Drama rooms. Both rooms are equipped with projectors, allowing Miss Cunningham and Miss Beddoes to use a variety of visual stimuli in lessons. Our purpose built Drama Studio houses a portable staging area as well as a full lighting rig, perfect for staging Drama work across all years.
Drama in Key Stage 3
All pupils in Years 7 to 9 study Drama. The work is practical and pupils work with others in a variety of sizes of groups.
Topics covered are diverse and can range from the experiences of soldiers in the trenches during World War One to being scientists exploring a distant planet in the year 2412. In every year group pupils are provided with opportunity to explore the staging of classic play texts, ranging from Greek Drama through Shakespeare to the modern day.
Drama in Key Stage 4
GCSE Drama is available as an examination option. At GCSE students follow the Edexcel Drama specification. This course develops creativity and a real understanding of Drama in Performance. Students complete three units of work. The first unit is the exploration of a theme and students are assessed on their practical work and provide written documentary evidence to support this. The second unit involves reading and exploring a play text and again students provide documentary evidence to support their understanding. In addition to this they have the opportunity to review a live theatre performance through a written response. The third and final unit, worth 40% of the final grade, is a practical examination. This will be a scripted or devised performance prepared for an audience and an external examiner.
GCSE Drama
Our Year 10 GCSE Drama group are approaching the end of their first term’s study. Since September they have been exploring many themes including “The Hostage”, “Man Down” as well as studying the concepts of Drama practitioner, Constantin Stanislavski. Some of the pupils’ shared their opinions of the course so far.
“Since taking GCSE Drama, I’ve gained the ability to devise semi-professional performances. I feel Drama is a fantastic creative outlet.” Amelia Wills, MVMD.
“I’ve always enjoyed Drama, but when I started GCSE, it was the best thing I ever did. GCSE drama has made me improve my confidence and explore a variety of ways to act courageously. Even though I’ve only done GCSE Drama for a few months, I have understood different types of performing and the effect it has upon an audience. I love Drama; it always helps to motivates me and gives me the chance to declare my emotions, negative or positive.” Atiya Munir. AJH.
“I see Drama as a way of expressing my feelings and losing my inhibitions. Since starting the course we have interpreted many current issues in a creative and sensitive way.” Paige Williams ACW
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